Record ferry bookings in 24 hours for 2017 TT

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has seen record-breaking bookings for the 2017 TT festival after just 24 hours of reservations being on sale.

This year’s TT might have only just got underway but bookings are already being taken for transport to the Island for 2017 and it looks set to be a busy one with the ferry firm taking more than 3,500 reservations since they went on sale yesterday.  

9,700 passengers had booked to travel by 6:30pm on Monday, almost 1,000 more than at the same point last year with 4,755 bikes having already secured their space on a sailing.

Despite the increase in bookings, Steam Packet say there are still spaces available but are advising people to book as soon as possible.

‘Once again we experienced an increase in bookings compared with the same time last year, which is testament to the continued growth in popularity of the TT,” said Steam Packet’s Chief Executive, Mark Woodward. “Our substantial investment in the removable mezzanine deck on Manannan last year, and continued charter of MV Arrow, have helped us meet the increased demand for space for motorcycles in particular and has also helped compensate for a lack of suitable charter vessels for the TT period.

‘By bringing in additional staff where possible and by investing significantly in making our online booking system more robust we have made considerable steps forward in meeting demand.

‘Despite the volume of reservations we have already handled, there are still places on sailings to the Isle of Man during the 2017 TT, so it is worth checking on line or with our reservations team.’